Rocksteady have managed the impossible: they have taken the definitive Batman experience of Arkham Asylum and improved on it in every possible way. By taking Batman off of Arkham Island and throwing him in to the dingy streets of Arkham City Rocksteady have made not only the finest Superhero game, but one of the best games of this generation.

The open world adds so much to the Batman experience. While I was worried that it might leave the franchise feeling rudderless and without focus. It achieves the opposite, enabling an all-encompassing Batman experience with wonderful side missions, near-perfect central missions, all wrapped up in a pretty package. Remember when people would say “How come nobody can make a great Batman game?” Well, Rocksteady have now made two, and Arkham City is the Batman game of your dreams. Outstanding, and deserving of a top ten placement on any Greatest Games list you might ever compile.

(1) If Catwoman hadn't been involved, I would have rated Arkham City a 9.9 -- at worst. As it is, with so much content, it feels like it's bursting at the seams. Batman: Arkham City is a game that will be in the running for Game of the Year at many websites. It is most deserving of it. Rocksteady took Arkham Asylum and absolutely blew it away with this fantastic followup. (2) Superhero games often struggle to become remarkable or even average. The reason can be puzzling, but be rest assured, if you've never picked up a Batman game in today's world of gaming, you're missing out on a lot. Even if you're not particularly a comic-book fan, this game is a definite must.

Despite a few mishaps, Batman is as close to perfect a game I have played in years. Even when other big hitters like Uncharted 3 and Battlefield 3 came out I have been unable to put the Dark Knight’s game down. If you are even remotely interested in the fiction, give this game a try and prepare to have your mind blown!

Batman: Arkham City is a tremendous sequel and an incredible game. Arguably offering an even more superior Batman experience than the recent Christopher Nolan films, fans of the Dark Knight and his extensive comic book universe couldn’t have asked for more. Sadly, Mark Hamill has confirmed that this will be his last ever performance as the Joker – a true shame, although it makes possible an ending that is memorable, hard-hitting and strangely poignant. Rocksteady Studios have not only created one of 2011’s best games, but the greatest superhero video game of all time. Essential.

Rocksteady has managed to not only create one of the greatest pieces of Batman culture, but has also elevated Catwoman to the upper echelon’s of gaming’s most able-bodied females. Between the wealth of campaign content and Riddler’s Revenge modes, Batman: Arkham City will likely be spinning in my disc drive until The Dark Knight Rises hits theaters next year, and probably long after that given suitable DLC. It’s not a perfect game, but it’s also hard to imagine where Rocksteady can go from here.